Back at the Nugget 106th CCA and CCW Annual Convention and Industry Trade Show

by CCA Associate Director of Communications Maureen LaGrande

After three years of being held virtually and at the Peppermill Casino Resort, the California Cattlemen’s Association and California Cattlewomen’s Association’s Convention finally made its way back to the Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks, Nev.

The sound of slot machines and laughter filled the air at the 106th CCA & CCW Annual Convention and Industry Tradeshow that took place Nov. 30 –Dec. 2. This year’s convention, held in conjunction with the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association (NCA), brought together both California and Nevada ranchers. With close to 600 members from California registered to attend, convention serves as a time for those in the industry to reconnect with one another, participate in policy meetings, attend educational presentations, network in the tradeshow and hear about what the Association is working on.

At Wednesday afternoon’s opening general session CCA President Tony Toso, Hornitos welcomed members and provided an overview of all that the convention and tradeshow would have to offer. To close out the first general session California State Treasurer Fiona Ma welcomed attendees and shared with them her interest in continuing to connect with the ranching community.

Over the course of the week, members heard from a wide array of guest speakers in the general sessions. The opening session speakers included, meteorologist Brian Bledsoe, talking about the weather outlook, and Colorado State University Professor Stephen Koontz, going over the cattle markets. In the following morning’s session attendees heard from Global AgriTrends’ Brett Stuart, who provided a global outlook and update. NCBA’s Colin Woodall spoke at the final general session giving an update on NCBA’s national efforts. Throughout the general sessions, industry updates were also given by CCA, NCA, the California Cattle Council and the California Beef Council.

Following the first general session, the California and Nevada Cattle Industry Trade Show kicked off with the CCA Allied Cheese and Wine Reception and the Tradeshow Welcome Party, sponsored by Laird Manufacturing. Dancing with music from the Buck Ford Band and conversation among ranchers and exhibitors at booths could be heard throughout the tradeshow while snacking on some delicious wine and cheese.

A few highlights of the tradeshow came from the generosity of many sponsors. The shoeshining station in the tradeshow was sponsored by Merck and Allflex. Elanco sponsored the Blood Mary bar in the tradeshow and Westway Feed Products sponsored the name badge holders.

Amongst catching up with others and walking around the tradeshow a critical part of convention are the meetings for policy committees and fellow meetings held by organizations such as the California Beef Cattle Improvement Association and the California Cattlemen’s Foundation. Freewave Technologies sponsored one of the five policy committee meetings. Those at convention are encouraged to attend these meetings to help drive the direction of CCA policy, better understand what is going on within the different sectors of the industry, as well as have the chance to ask questions of those who have been working diligently to advocate for the Association.

Sponsors also helped with events, as Bayer Environmental Science sponsored the Cattle Fax Breakfast. Friday morning’s CattleFax Breakfast brought a new speaker for the first time in many years. With CattleFax’s Duane Lenz having retired earlier this year, California and Nevada producers welcomed CattleFax Director of Cattle Market Research and Analysis, Patrick Linnell to give the outlook for the first time.

Between general sessions and policy meetings, in addition to having meetings of their own, the California CattleWomen celebrated the muchawaited Cowbelle of the Year Award Luncheon, on the Nugget’s Chalet Terrace, recognizing individuals who have gone above and beyond in promoting beef and their local Cattle Women groups. Michele Payn of Cause Matters Corps, served as the keynote speaker at the luncheon. CCW’s President Julie Barnett’s term also came to an end at convention, as Jeri Roen was welcomed in as the new CCW President.

This year, the Young Cattlemen’s Club (YCC) had over 100 college students from CSU Chico, CSU Fresno, UC Davis, Feather River College, and Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in attendance. They were able to attend educational sessions, network in the tradeshow and have a YCC meeting with all chapters. At the meeting, UC Davis Ph.D. student, Sebastian Mejia Turcios, West Sacramento, served as the guest speaker. Turcios shared with the students his educational experiences, current studies, social media work and his participation with the NCBA Trailblazers, a program geared toward advocates for the industry.

In promotion for the future of the industry, the Cattlemen’s Poster Session sponsored by Russell L. Rustici Rangeland and Cattle Research Endowment and the California Beef Cattle Improvement Association, allowed college students and researchers to present their research to convention attendees. With 25 posters entered, this year’s poster session was the largest to date.

Aside from connecting with other YCC members and the industry professionals at convention, young members have an array of opportunities to be involved in the Association. A handful of college students pursuing a degree in an agriculturalrelated field sat down to interview for the 2022 CCA Scholarships. The generosity of donors enabled CCA to award over $59,000 in scholarships.

While the duration of convention occurs within three days, months of preparation goes into the event. CCA staff and officers play a large role in the production of the day-to-day meetings, speakers and trainings, but each year interns help onsite. This year CCA had the addition of eight interns to assist with registration, the tradeshow and awards banquet. Their eagerness to help made a huge impact with day-to-day tasks. Interns included, Taylor Hutchinson, Feather River College, Lauren Ferguson, Feather River College, Sierra Rodriguez, CSU Chico, Alexandria Ramirez, CSU Chico, Hailey Ferguson, CSU Chico, Vanessa Bettencourt, CSU Chico, Audrey Cockrell, CSU Fresno and Lea Thomas, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

Thursday night, Toso stood at the podium on his last night as the 50th CCA President, signaling the end of his two-year term at the CCA and CCW Awards Banquet. Throughout his term as president, Toso worked diligently for the Association and its members. When reflecting on his time in office, Toso’s daughter Gianna Adem, Hornitos shared, “My dad is passionate about preserving the ranching way of life for future generations. He’s always been an incredible advocate for the beef industry and agricultural community. I am immensely proud of him, not only for a job well done as CCA President, but for who my dad is and what he stands for. I’m thankful for all that he has done and look forward to what he will continue to do. Congratulations, Dad, on an incredible two-year term.”

The two-year term of CCA Second Vice President Trevor Frietas, Tulare, also came to an end. At the banquet, 2021-2022 CCA Officers were thanked for their service to the Association and the reins were handed over to the 2023-2024 CCA President Steve Arnold, Santa Margarita. With Arnold as president, Rick Roberti, Loyalton, moved up as CCA First Vice President. Sheila Bowen, Glennville, has one more year in her term as CCA Second Vice President and Bev Bigger, Ventura, will continue as CCA Treasurer.

The CCA Officer team also welcomed two new officers, Frank Imhof, Pleasanton, and Mike McCluskey, Red Bluff, both as incoming CCA Second Vice Presidents.

The awards banquet dinner recognized Allan Renz, Tres Pinos, as the recipient of the Society for Range Management California-Pacific Section’s 2022 Winner of Excellence in Range Management Award.

American Ag Credit’s Karri Jones presented the Top Hand Award which recognizes CCA members who have worked diligently to recruit members to the Association. First place, a custom saddle, went to Paul Tognazzini, Templeton. Second place, a Boot Barn gift card, went to Dave Daley, Oroville. Third place, another Boot Barn gift card, went to Nicole Stevens, Yreka. All of the awards were generously sponsored by Farm Credit.

The most anticipated prize of the night was the drawing for the 2023 Swift Built 18 Foot Gooseneck Stock Trailer winning raffle ticket, generously donated by Farm Credit to benefit the Livestock Memorial Research Fund (LMRF). The lucky winner announced by Karri Jones and LMRF Chair Dean Hunt, McKinleyville, was Beth Macy, Tulelake.

Convention week goes by in a blink of an eye. The conclusion of the CCA Board and Membership Meeting on Friday morning signaled the end to another successful CCA Convention as attendees said their goodbyes and headed for the state line.

Don’t forget to mark down on the calendar Nov. 29 – Dec. 3, for the 107th CCA & CCW Annual Convention and Industry Tradeshow!